If you haven't already done so, get a calendar and circle Feb. 3. It's the 10th anniversary of a sports breakthrough that should not pass unnoticed.
The XFL sprang to life Feb. 3, 2001, with its first game. I know, most of you think that's like commemorating the birth of New Coke or "Rosemary's Baby" -- assuming Rosemary had a girl and dressed her in a G-string.
Sure, the brainchild of rasslin' king Vince McMahon had its flaws. But history shows it deserves some due. For one not-so-glorious spring, the XFL gave us a partial glimpse where football was heading...More?
source: fanhouse.com
January 29, 2011
X Years After, Memories of the XFL
January 28, 2011
SmackDown Results: “Spear”-ited Reaction
Following another outspoken Friday night address by The Miz, Rated RKO alumni Edge & Randy Orton reunited to battle The Awesome One & Dolph Ziggler in a Champions and Challengers Tag Team Match.
In the midst of absolute tag team mayhem, Edge defeated his bleach blond adversary with the Spear. However, as the dust cleared, an irate Vickie Guerrero used her authority to ban The Rated-R Superstar’s favorite instrument of destruction until further notice, declaring that if Edge uses the Spear in his Royal Rumble title match (preview), he will be disqualified and lose the World Heavyweight Championship. Following her proclamation, The Ultimate Opportunist hit Ziggler with three defiant Spears both inside and outside the ring. Full results.
source: wwe.com
How WWE Conquered the Social Media Arena
WWE is known for its burly performers, lewd females, outrageous story lines and epic drama, but behind the scenes there’s a serious fight to engage its audience.
At WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT, a group of innovative marketers and strategists are working hard to pump out the content that gets its viewers excited. Social media is a growing part of that process. The team’s social media efforts have even caught the attention of Mashable readers, who voted to award them two Mashable Awards.
We spoke with three key digital leaders at WWE to discuss its social media strategy — Brian Kalinowski (EVP, digital media), Mark Keys (VP, web production) and Corey Clayton (online community leader) weighed in on how the company is using social to engage and learn from its community...More?
source: mashable.com
Rumor Mill - Stone Cold to Host 'Tough Enough'
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Stone Cold Steve Austin will be the host of the incarnation of Tough Enough when it debuts on the USA Network on 4/4. Obviously, the hope is that he will bring starpower, and viewers, to the project. They have a trial run on USA with the hope being that it will become a full time program.
source: pwinsider.com
WWE Chief Operating Officer Leaving the Company
WWE filed a Form 8-K today with the SEC that stated the following:
Effective February 28, 2011, Donna N. Goldsmith will leave her positions as Director and Chief Operating Officer of WWE and pursue other interests. She will receive severance benefits as described in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 17, 2010.
Goldsmith, along with Michelle Wilson-EVP Marketing and Stephanie McMahon-EVP Creative Development and Operations were touted as the day-to-day driving force of the WWE and were referred to as WWE's "Wonder Women". The trio were featured in Continental Magazine last January.
It will be interesting to see who takes her place.
Scott Hall Returning to Psychiatric Hospital - Thanks McMahon Family
Former WWE Superstar Scott Hall recently told the Miami Herald that he is due to return to the Menninger Clinic in Houston for treatment. He revealed that partying, drugs and alcohol have all taken a toll on his body “I recently had this pacemaker/defibrillator put in my heart,” said Hall, who was also hospitalized for double pneumonia in the summer.
Hall seemed in a good place with the treatment he has been receiving:
“This place is really cool because it’s a psychiatric hospital. A lot the people there don’t have drug and alcohol stuff. Mental illness is real, and I got them. I don’t know if it’s the multiple concussions or the lifestyle choices…I’m going to a place where they can help me.”
He also thanked the McMahon family for picking up his rehab "tab:"
"I have been to about nine rehabs," said Hall. "They were high dollar and some of the best ones around. Vince has picked up the tab the last couple of times. If you ever work or worked for WWE, if you ever need help, he will give it to you. He is really cool. Thank Vince, his wife Linda, Stephanie, Shane, and Paul [Levesque/Triple H]. Thank you for helping me. It’s hard to ask for help. It’s even harder to accept it, when people offer it."...More?
source: miamiherald.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Ric Flair debuts the famous "WWE Desire" video featuring legends of the past and present in an attempt to convince Vince McMahon to stop from bringing the nWo into the WWE.
January 28, 2002
January 27, 2011
WWE Superstars Results: Facing the Truth
The truth hurts. That’s certainly what Tyson Kidd is thinking right now. The arrogant Superstar may believe he is the most talented competitor in the locker-room, but the truth is he lost for the second week in a row tonight. After falling to Yoshi Tatsu last Thursday, the Hart Dungeon-trained grappler locked up with R-Truth tonight and looked very impressive. But just like last week, Kidd’s ego got the better of him and he let his guard down, allowing the rapping Superstar to pull out the victory. The former WWE Tag Team Champion needs to get his head back in the game if he wants to make a serious impact. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Update: Ric Flair Returns to TNA's European Tour
Ric Flair has arrived in Glasgow, Scotland for today's TNA house show event and apologized to the locker room for his outburst in Dublin, Ireland according to Mike Johnson of pwinsider.com.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
